Man shot by police in South Philadelphia

Philly Confidential

This post has been updated.

Police shot a man in South Philadelphia early Tuesday evening when he allegedly pointed a gun at them after leading them into a schoolyard during a foot pursuit.

Cops responding to a call for a person with a gun at Hemberger and McKean streets around 5 p.m. spotted the 20-year-old suspect matching the description, investigators said. Two officers approached the man and he fled, police said, leading the cops on a chase into the schoolyard at McDaniel Elementary School, on 23rd Street near Mifflin.

Police said the man then pulled a .22-caliber revolver out and pointed it at them, prompting one of the cops to fire at him, wouding him three times in the left leg and buttocks. The suspect was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in critical condition and was undergoing surgery later Tuesday night, police said. The officer who shot the man was in uniform.

Police sources said the suspect has six prior arrests, and the revolver he leveled at police was recovered at the scene. As is protocol with police-involved shootings, the officer who fired his gun was taken to Internal Affairs to be interviewed.

Investigators remained at the scene collecting evidence around 7:30 p.m. No police or bystanders were injured in the shooting.